Understanding the Difference Between Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar disorder isn’t a single diagnosis. Understanding the different types, including bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder, can help you recognize how symptoms vary and why an accurate diagnosis is important.

After you or someone you love receives a bipolar disorder diagnosis, the first response may be confusion when you learn that bipolar disorder isn’t just one condition.

At Royal River Psychiatric Care in Yarmouth, Maine, our experienced team provides diagnosis and treatment as well as education and support so our patients can better understand their condition.

In today’s blog, we discuss how bipolar disorder can differ by type and how it may affect your life.

Understanding bipolar I disorder

Psychiatric care providers may diagnose bipolar I disorder when a patient has one or more manic episodes.

Mania is much more than feeling unusually happy or charged-up. It can cause a dramatic change in mood, energy, activity, judgment, and behavior.

During a manic episode, you might:

Sleep very little without feeling tired
Talk much more or faster than usual
Experience racing thoughts
Become uncommonly confident
Experience unusual irritability
Engage in impulsive or reckless behaviors

Symptoms aren’t just inconvenient; they can be severely damaging to daily life and may even require hospitalization.

People with bipolar I often — but not always — experience depressive episodes, with periods of especially low mood. However, a major depressive episode isn't required for a bipolar I diagnosis.

Understanding bipolar II disorder

One common misconception is that bipolar II is just a milder version of bipolar I. The distinction is more specific.

Bipolar II involves at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode, with no history of a full manic episode.

Hypomania involves noticeable changes in mood, energy, and activity. Someone experiencing hypomania may even feel unusually productive or energetic.

Although hypomania is similar to mania, it isn't severe enough to cause the significant impairment seen with mania. The depressive episodes associated with bipolar II, however, can be severe and have a substantial impact on everyday life.

What is cyclothymic disorder?

Cyclothymic disorder, or cyclothymia, causes ongoing fluctuations between hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don't meet the full criteria for hypomanic or major depressive episodes.

In adults, these recurring symptoms continue for at least two years. Although individual highs and lows may be less severe, their ongoing nature can still disrupt relationships, work, routines, and overall well-being.

Research suggests that about one-third of people with cyclothymic disorder may eventually develop bipolar I or II disorder.

Why are bipolar disorders often difficult to diagnose?

Bipolar disorders can be challenging to diagnose, as they often overlap with other mental health conditions. In fact, a 2022 systematic review covering more than 40,000 people found an average delay of more than 6.5 years between bipolar disorder onset and diagnosis.

Depression can be especially misleading because you may seek treatment while you're experiencing a depressive episode without recognizing previous periods of hypomania as symptoms.

Conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and others can also share certain features with bipolar disorder.

That's why diagnosis at Royal River Psychiatric Care involves looking beyond how you feel on a particular day. Your provider considers patterns in your mood, sleep, energy, behavior, and functioning over time, along with your medical and family histories.

Finding the treatment that fits your diagnosis

Bipolar disorders are treatable, but treatment needs vary. Depending on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and other factors, care may include medication management, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring.

Our experienced psychiatric care specialists develop individualized treatment plans designed to help stabilize your mood and support long-term mental wellness.

If significant mood changes are affecting your daily life, call Royal River Psychiatric Care at 207-847-0023 or request an appointment online today.